High school football capsules

Ryer Caruso of NFA (6) celebrates his touchdown with Ramel Williams during a game against Stamford on October 20 in Norwich. The Wildcats are at New London on Thanksgiving Day as the teams continue the nation's longest overall rivalry.

Outlook: Montville enters as the heavy favorite to retain the title of town champ. And a win all but secures the ECC Medium Division, whose winner will snap the current 3-way tie with the most playoff points. But the Indians won't know whether it has qualified for the Class M playoffs until Thanksgiving. The Indians need three of the following six teams to lose - Barlow of Redding, Hillhouse of New Haven, St. Joseph of Trumbull, New London, Weston and/or Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton. New London plays unbeaten NFA, Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton plays Ellington/Somers (8-1) and Weston plays Barlow (8-1).

Haddam-Killingworth at Valley Regional/Old Lyme

Records: H-K (5-4); Valley/Old Lyme (6-3).

Outlook: This, like many Thanksgiving games, is for pride only. Neither team is a playoff contender. However, if Valley/Old Lyme wins, it would finish with a 7-win season and in fourth place in the 11-team Pequot Sassacus.

Thursday's Games

Ledyard at Fitch, 10 a.m.

Records: Ledyard (6-3); Fitch (8-1).

Outlook: Ledyard has won four straight in this series and must make that No. 5 for the Colonels to have a chance at a return to the playoffs. Even with a win, they need help: four of the nine teams they trail must lose. Fitch, meanwhile, has already qualified in Class L and would love to exact some revenge and take back the Colonel Ledyard Sword. The Falcons would likely play on the road, but could potentially improve their seeding.

NFA at New London, 10 a.m.

Records: NFA (9-0); New London (7-2).

Outlook: This is the 151st time the teams have played, the nation's oldest overall rivalry. It's as big a game as ever. NFA can win the ECC Large Division with a victory and move closer to a "home" game in the state quarterfinals, provided there's one loss among Southington, Newtown and Xavier. NFA, whose home field does not have permanent lights, cannot play at NFA, per CIAC rules, but would play at another field in the region. New London needs a win to qualify. The Whalers, who kept their season alive by defeating Ledyard two weeks ago, might even get a home game if they win.

Stonington at Westerly, 10 a.m.

Records: Stonington (7-2); Westerly (5-5).

Outlook: This is the nation's oldest Thanksgiving Day (but not overall) rivalry. It has been a memorable season at Stonington. The Bears, many of whose skill position players are juniors, have already won the ECC Small Division. And they still have a chance to make the Class S playoffs. The Bears best hope is to defeat Westerly and hope that two of three things happen ? that Woodland Regional of Beacon Falls (6-3) loses to Seymour (5-4), Northwest Catholic of West Hartford (7-2) loses to Rocky Hill (8-1), and/or Trinity Catholic (7-2) of Stamford loses to Wilton (4-5).

East Lyme at Waterford, 10 a.m.

Records: East Lyme (2-7); Waterford (3-6).

Outlook: The Vikings, who have not played a home game all season (they will have a field next year) have played better lately, winning two of their last three. Waterford has lost two straight and four of five, but remains the favorite.